TV Cost

How Much Does a TV Cost?

There are many different options when selecting a television set. While traditional Tube TVs have pretty much gone the way of the dinosaurs, flat panel display TVs -- plasma and LCD -- are now popular and affordable. There's also projection technology -- DLP TVs (rear projection) and front projectors, also known as home theater projectors, which deliver the largest screening area.

Typical costs:

LCD TVs come in all sorts of sizes ranging from 5" to 70". In general, LCD TVs can start around $600 for a 40" screen and cost up to $6,000 for a 65" screen. LCD TVs offer a thin profile and are usually lighter for their size. They use slightly less power than similar sized plasma TVs and are less susceptible to screen burn-in (where an after image of a still picture left on for an extended period of time can "burn" into the screen). However, they have poorer viewing angles and contrast levels than plasma TVs.

Flat panel plasma TVs typically range in size from 42" to 65". Prices begin around $600 and go up to $5,000 for a 65" screen. Plasma TVs offer excellent contrast and black levels (the different shades of black), better viewing angles and higher color reproduction compared to LCD TVs. But plasma TVs are heavirt, more susceptible to screen burn-in, and may have glare issues in brightly lit rooms.

Rear projection DLP TVs start at 60" and go all the up to 82" in size. For a 60" model the cost is $1,300 and the largest 82" TV comes in around $3,900. DLP TVs are significantly less expensive than flat panel (plasma or LCD) TV displays, come in larger screen sizes and do not have screen burn-in or glare issues. But DLP TVs are bulkier and heavier.

Home theater projectors start at around $700 for one with basic functionality and features and cost over $10,000 for a high-end projector. They can project an image from 40" up to 300" -- providing the largest viewing images and coming close to movie theater picture quality at home. They also take up very little space. A screen or specially painted wall can add $110-$2,500.

Occasionally, TV manufacturers may have rebates or similar incentives.

Refurbished and store display models may also be ways to save money, if it's not necessary to get an absolutely brand new TV set.

Shopping for a tv:

Store retailers such as Best Buy[1] and Sears[2] offer a chance to view in person many models and manufacturers.

Online retailers like Amazon[3] and Newegg.com[4] also offer several types of TVs. While buying online can definitely offer savings, if a return or exchange is required due to some mechanical defect, this may be more of a hassle than going back to a brick and mortar store.

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CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

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